Friday, July 27, 2007

Church Searching

I feel bad- I haven't updated this blog for a while, and I just got a really nice comment on my last post, so I am getting my behind in gear.

So we have moved to our new city, the "Glendale of the East", AKA Boston, MA. I am in a position that I have never been in before. I have my pick of several Armenian churches. There are three that are close to me, and that is just Armenian Apostolic. There are another two Armenian protestant churches too. I am going to stick with Armenian Apostolic for now, because, well, that is what I am.

The first Sunday that I was here, my mom, sister, and I drove down to Providence to go to church there. The priest at that church used to be the mission priest who came to my hometown during the years that I was away at college. My family flew him down about two years ago to conduct my grandfather's funeral, so I met him at that time. His church is really good, I think because the priest is a good one. The quality of the church seems to depend so much on the priest (although this is not the only factor; I think a strong, good congregation can overcome a less-than-terrific priest) I am not inclined to drive for an hour each way to go there on a regular basis since I have churches so close by, but his church is a good one, and I would be happy to be part of his community if I were living in Providence.

The second Sunday, I visited the church that is closest to me. The jury is still out on that one, but it seems fine. I skipped last Sunday, and will try the other church on this Sunday.

I was told by folks from the area who now go to my old church back West, the Eastern Diocese churches are a little more "modern" (by Armenian church standards) than the Eastern Prelacy churches. Is this true?? This whole Prelacy/Diocese, Etchmiadzin/Antelias thing is so strange to me- someone explained it to me back at my old church, and I think I understand it, more or less. Google isn't very helpful in coming up with answers to that question, so I had to ask someone directly.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's good to see you're back!

Michael said...

I recently found your blog, and I am glad to see that you are posting again.

I am a non-Armenian member of the Armenian Church. I love it dearly, and have been warmly embraced by my local parish. After three years I can't picture myself worshiping anywhere else.

My best to you in your new home.

Michael

Anoushig said...

Thanks, everyone!

Michael, I am interested in hearing your experiences as a non-Armenian member of the Armenian church. What brought you to the church, and what do you love about it?

I am finding so far that being half-Armenian is not a problem in terms of acceptance. I had been worried it might be, and always used to mention it apologetically until the priest in Evanston IL told me not to, that it didn't matter. I had always thought of Armenian Church as being kind of stand-offish and not welcoming, and I think I was wrong about that.

Michael said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael said...

Anoushig -

Send me an email through my profile page. I would love to discuss my experience with you.

- Michael

Anonymous said...

Wow! It's nice to read about your reviews. It's very rare to find someone talking about Church and specifically the Armenian Church. Keep up your great posts :)

We are the youth of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church in Lebanon.

Anonymous said...

did you visit Der Gomidas' church in Providence? he's a remarkable priest...

Anoushig said...

I visited Sts. Sahag and Mesrob in Providence.

I am glad to hear about so many good priests in the Armenian Church!